eagle5 Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 I just got the new Robinson Safety Notice on the Clutch Light, and it seems a little confusing. If the light is on for more than 10 seconds I'm supposed to select a safe landing site and make a precautionary landing. However, if there are additional symptoms, like the smell of burning rubber, I'm supposed to land immediately. So, the light comes on, I count to 10, its still on! I see a baseball field off my right and say, "That looks good, I'll go there." Then as I'm turning towards the field, I smell burning rubber! What do I do now? I'm already setting up for my approach, am I supposed to just say, "Oh' sh*t!", slam the collective down and where I end up is where I end up?,...or can I continue to the field? What is the difference between, "select a safe landing site and make a precautionary landing to check the drive system", and "land immediately"? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryesis Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 If the light is on for more than ten seconds you pull the breaker and fly to the nearest place where normal maintenance can be performed or land as soon as practical. If the light is on for more than ten seconds and is accompanied by other indications you pull the clutch circuit breaker and land at the nearest area where you can safely land power on. Be prepared to enter auto rotation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotormandan Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 Don't mess around with that clutch belt. I had a light go on for the 7-8 seconds it was then. Then just to make sure counted 9, 10. Still had the light so we pulled the cb and landed. Luckily we were in a hover. During cool down I did a little trouble shooting and push the cb in. Instantly it smelled like rubber bad. Pulled the cb out imediatly and finished cool down. When we got out the belt was shredded to sh1t and was hanging on by threads. Turned out a tooth of the alternator broke off and shot got in between the clutch belt and the pully. Luckily we were in a hover. I don't think we would have landed in time if we were at altitude or waited an extra second or 2 to pull the cb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightsta1ker Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 What happens if you are in forward flight and that scent never makes it to the cockpit? I would say, if that light comes on, pull the CB, and put it down in the first place you safely can. Be ready to auto. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted September 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 If the light is on for more than ten seconds you pull the breaker and fly to the nearest place where normal maintenance can be performed or land as soon as practical. If the light is on for more than ten seconds and is accompanied by other indications you pull the clutch circuit breaker and land at the nearest area where you can safely land power on. Be prepared to enter auto rotation. Is that what the POH says now, "land as soon as practical"? All I have is the safety notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryesis Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 CLUTCH Indicates clutch actuator circuit is on, either engaging or disengaging clutch. When switch is in the ENGAGE position, light stays on until belts are properly tensioned. Never take off before light goes out. Note: Clutch light may come on momentarily during run-up or during flight to retention belts as they warm up and stretch slightly. This is normal, if however, the flight flickers or comes on in flight and does not go out within 10 seconds, pull CLUTCH circuit breaker and land as soon as practical. Reduce power and land immediately if there are other indications of drive system failure (be prepared to enter autorotation). Inspect drive system for a possible malfunction. That is exactly how it is printed in the POH update, I got lucky as well, I attended the RHC safety course the last week of August before the POH updates were sent out so Tim Tucker went over the new procedure with us, along with the new carb heat SN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apiaguy Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 I don't want to pick a fight here.... but REALLY... you need guidance to understand those statements? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Dont create an emergency trying to prepare for one... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo2181 Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Dont create an emergency trying to prepare for one... Well said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted September 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 CLUTCH Indicates clutch actuator circuit is on, either engaging or disengaging clutch. When switch is in the ENGAGE position, light stays on until belts are properly tensioned. Never take off before light goes out. Note: Clutch light may come on momentarily during run-up or during flight to retention belts as they warm up and stretch slightly. This is normal, if however, the flight flickers or comes on in flight and does not go out within 10 seconds, pull CLUTCH circuit breaker and land as soon as practical. Reduce power and land immediately if there are other indications of drive system failure (be prepared to enter autorotation). Inspect drive system for a possible malfunction. That is exactly how it is printed in the POH update, I got lucky as well, I attended the RHC safety course the last week of August before the POH updates were sent out so Tim Tucker went over the new procedure with us, along with the new carb heat SN Cool, thanks, that's much clearer! I don't know why they had to word it differently in the Safety Notice,...but oh' well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted September 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 I don't want to pick a fight here.... but REALLY... you need guidance to understand those statements? Not guidance, just clarification! Land ImmediatelyLand as soon as practical Until this new Safety Notice, those were the only two we Robbie guys had. Now they add "select a safe landing site and make a precautionary landing". or "land immediately" otherwise! To me they sound like the same thing! For my confusion I humbly beg your forgiveness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightsta1ker Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Land immediately means put it down RFN, wherever there is room. Land as soon as possible means you can be a little more selective, but still get your tush on the ground as quick as you can. Land as soon as practical means head to the nearest air strip that you can get it serviced and land it there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kliss Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Does anybody have any info on why the change? The general consensus at my school is that if that clutch light is on for 7 or 8 seconds we are still pulling the clutch cb and landing immediately regardless of the new sn. I'm not sure if the extra 2 or 3 seconds would make any difference but still. Any more info on why would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azhigher Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Land immediately means put it down RFN, wherever there is room. Land as soon as possible means you can be a little more selective, but still get your tush on the ground as quick as you can. Land as soon as practical means head to the nearest air strip that you can get it serviced and land it there. ^This Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikemv Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Land immediately means put it down RFN, wherever there is room. Land as soon as possible means you can be a little more selective, but still get your tush on the ground as quick as you can. Land as soon as practical means head to the nearest air strip that you can get it serviced and land it there. Land as soon as practical does not mean to head to the nearest airstrip with service!!!! Getting the helicopter serviced is not a consideration of this definition! How far would you fly to get to an airport that has service? Do not pass an airport and continue flying for a "Land as soon as practical", and be prepared to answer why you did pass an airport if asked, if you survive. Do not read too much into the word "practical". Land Immediately -continued flight is in doubt, land now, do the best you can to put it down. Land as soon as possible -land at the first spot that a safe landing is assured. Land as soon as practical -At PIC discretion but continued flight past airports is not recommended. Forced landing -you have no choice. Precautionary landing -PIC judgement to safe position on the ground. 1* Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Or, another way to look at it is:Land as soon as possible (immediately)= first place possible that you can safely approach and land Land as soon as practical= first place possible that you can safely approach and land that maintenance can get to you (somewhat easily) For example, flying in the mountains... Possible=first available clearing, practical=first clearing with a road next to it(or road itself) In the GOM, possible=first platform you seePractical=first platform that (hopefully your company owns) that can fit two helicopters so maintenance can fly out to you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted September 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Land as soon as practical does not mean to head to the nearest airstrip with service!!!! Getting the helicopter serviced is not a consideration of this definition! How far would you fly to get to an airport that has service? Do not pass an airport and continue flying for a "Land as soon as practical", and be prepared to answer why you did pass an airport if asked, if you survive. From the R22 POH 3-1:Land as soon as practical - Land at the nearest airport or other facility where emergency maintenance may be performed. This is probably where he got that idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightsta1ker Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 That's exactly what I meant to say but didn't quote it correctly. In any case Mike is correct, absolutely. And maintenance can always be brought to wherever you are as long as there is a road nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 From the R22 POH 3-1:Land as soon as practical - Land at the nearest airport or other facility where emergency maintenance may be performed. This is probably where he got that idea? There is a huge difference between "where emergency maintenance may be performed"and an airport or other facility where a maintenance operation is based out of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightsta1ker Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 There is a huge difference between "where emergency maintenance may be performed"and an airport or other facility where a maintenance operation is based out of. Why are we still arguing about this? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryesis Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 land as soon as possible is not a term recognized by the RHC and from what Ive heard Tim Tucker will clear that up for you very quickly on a checkride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roondog Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 I don't fly Robinson products, so I'm curious, how many SN are there attached to these A/c? Is it more than other A/c in its class, and why is it so confusing for some to understand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryesis Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I believe there are 18 or 19 safety notices in the R22 POH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Why are we still arguing about this? I'm not arguing anything. I didn't know anybody even was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helipilot PTK Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I believe there are 18 or 19 safety notices in the R22 POH I thought there was around 25, I haven't looked at the R22 POH in a while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.